Talking Across Difference

Anna Levinson is a junior TAD Fellow at Rutgers majoring in Journalism and Media studies with a minor in Government and Business. This is her third semester as a TAD fellow. Her favorite part is organizing the semester socials that introduce TAD and it's mission to students, as well as creating social content for TAD events as a way to encourage cross-campus community. She enjoys marketing and brand strategy, and is passionate about using the two to encourage inclusivity and promote dialogue that uplifts youth voices.

Allije is a junior majoring in English and minoring in Political Science. She is passionate about political advocacy, civic engagement, and the role of dialogue in strengthening communities. These interests have inspired her to pursue law school following her undergraduate studies. She is deeply involved in the Rutgers student body, ranging from her experience in RUSA as one of the 2028 SAS Class Representatives, an active member of the Rutgers Muslim Student Association, and various cultural and career based clubs on campus.

Alvin is a senior in the Rutgers School of Arts and Sciences majoring in Political Science with a minor in Biology. He serves as Chapter President of Phi Alpha Delta, Rutgers' pre-law fraternity, Executive Editor of the Rutgers Undergraduate Law Review, and is the university's official LSAT tutor. He is deeply passionate about electoral politics and dialogue across the aisle; he co-hosts a bipartisan YouTube channel called Bridging the Gap Political - Analysis. Alvin is applying to law school and hopes to pursue medical malpractice law.

Brigette Thompson is a junior majoring in Political Science with minors in Criminology and Public Policy. She serves as Mentoring Chair of Collegiate 100, an author for the Eagleton Political Journal, and a policy intern with the NJ State Policy Lab. Passionate about making the legal system more accessible to marginalized communities, and hopes to become a lawyer. Outside of school, she enjoys watching her favorite shows, eating fro-yo, and going on walks!

George is a Junior majoring in Political Science and minoring in History and Philosophy, Politics, and Economics. He likes to watch movies and playing Catan with his friends in his free time. George currently interns at the Middlesex Superior Courthouse. He is also part of the RDL via the Darien Civic Engagement Project and a Digital Content Creator! George joined the Talking Across Differences fellowship because he believes it is vital for our nation to understand each other through respectful dialogue in order to work together.

Kevin Cho is a junior currently pursuing a double major in Political Science and Economics, as well as minors in Critical Intelligence, Korean, and Global Studies. He is also involved with Rutgers Army ROTC. His primary career ambition is the foreign service, with his professional and research interests revolving around international political economy, defense economics, and the Korean peninsula. In his spare time, he enjoys cafes, downtowns, and digital photography.

Kumin Bal is a third-year student studying Finance and Political Science. At Rutgers, she conducted research as an Aresty Summer Science Researcher, examining how the evolution of social media has impacted a sense community and political discourse. She also served as a member of the Honors College Dean’s Committee and as a RDL intern during the summer. She was a previous Talking Across Difference fellow during the 2025-2026 academic year and is excited to continue its transformative work for the upcoming academic year.

Nyasa Bryson is an undergraduate majoring in Biological Sciences and Public Health and is a member of SEBS, Bloustein, and the Honors College. A Piscataway native, Nyasa is passionate about community involvement and serves as a Talking Across Differences Ambassador. She also works with the Basic Needs Center, Adult Autism Services, hospitals, and nursing homes. Nyasa is honored to work with the Eagleton Institute and believes diverse perspectives across fields are essential to community success.

Norma Sarofiem is a sophomore at Rutgers University–New Brunswick studying Public Policy and HR on a pre-law track, with an interest in immigration law. She is an Undergraduate Research Assistant with the Aresty Research Center, an EOF Scholar, and a Druskin Endowed Scholarship recipient. Norma also serves as a Community Programming Intern and Peer Mentor. A first-generation college student from Jersey City, she volunteers with Project Pantree and is fluent in Arabic and English.

Tania is a junior studying psychology and data science. She hopes to pursue a PhD in Clinical Psychology after graduation and a career focused on adolescent mental health. Tania is also a Scarlet Ambassador, a Research Assistant at the Hamilton Lab, and is Secretary of the Rutgers Psychological Alliance! Outside of school, she loves to bake, read, and spend time with her loved ones.

Tesia Yachimovicz is a sophomore majoring in Public Policy with a minor in Critical Intelligence Studies. She serves on the Executive Board and as a Douglass Senator in the Rutgers University Student Assembly. Tesia also leads the Feminist Outreach Committee through Douglass Governing Council and serves as Deputy Political Director for the College Democrats of New Jersey and Director of Communications for Rutgers Democrats. She is also a Peer Mentor and Generation HC Scholar at the Honors College.

Varshini Rajanikanth is a junior majoring in Political Science and Finance. She is the founder of the Common Grounds Initiative and an RDL Think and Do Tank Fellow, where she developed a proposal to make internships more accessible. Through the Rutgers Scarlet Service Internship Program, she interned with the NJ Department of the Treasury, conducting investment research for the state pension fund. After graduation, she plans to attend law school and pursue a career bridging finance and law.